Cone-classifier.



S. G. BUCHANAN.

GONE OLASSIFIER. APPLIOATION FILED our. 14, 1913.

1,1 15,897. Patented N0v.3, 1914.

lllllllllllllllllll ll SYLVESTER CLINGMON BUCHANAN, 0F GUANAJUATO, MEXICO.

CONE-CLASSIFIER Application filed October 14, 1913. .Serial No. 795,153.

To alluihomit may concern.

Be it known that I, SYLvEsTER C. BU-

'GHANAN, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Guanajuato, State of Guanajuato, Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Con e-Classifiers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in cone classifiers such as are employed in the separation of sands and slimes in the treatment of ores and the like, more especially by the cyanid process.

The object of the invention is in a ready, practical and eflicient manner to separate the slimes from the sands, conserve the former, and lead the latter to a point of escape, the operation being such that the slimes are subjected to a swirling action from the lower portion of the cone upward, and are held in suspension until they, reach the point of escape, while the sand, which settles to practically a dead zone is withdrawn from thebottom of the cone, and led to suitable receptacles.

A further object is to insure a constant swirling action of the solutionand sli1nes,in such manner as to insure the separation of the latter from thecontained sands, and to insure an even overflow of the slimes at all points of the trough of thecone irrespective of the level mouth of the latter.

A further object is to supply the slimes and sand to the cone in such manner as not to interfere with the circular or swirling movement of the liquid contents thereof, whereby the separation of the slimes from the sands will be effected in a positive and rapid manner.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of the cone classifier, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a view in vertical section through the cone classifier constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the lower portion of the cone showing more particularly the disposition of the nozzle, and the arrangement of the slide valve by which the escape of the sands from the cone is controlled. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional Specification of Letters Patent; I Patented N 3, 1914,

detail view, showing more particularly the arrangementof the overflow equalizer employed to secure a constant and even overflow ofthe slimes from the cone irrespective of the level of the latter.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a cone or receptacle, such as is commonly employed in machines to which this invention relates, the mouth portion of which is provided with a vertically disposed flange 2 which in conjunction with an L-shaped flange 3 secured around the mouth of the cone forms a trough 4 provided at one side with a spout 5, the upright of the trough 4 extending above the upper edge of the flange 2 in order to prevent the escape of slimes over theformer. Arranged concentrically of the upper portion of the cone, and eX- within the cone by a spider 7 Secured to the upper portion of the boot is a circular feed box 8, to which is secured an ordinary launder 9 to receive the sands and slimes from the source of supply. The boot may extend any desired distance downward into the cone, and is provided on a level or slightly. above the level of the. bottom of the feed boX with a plurality of orifices 10 through which the slimes and sands pass tending above its upper edge is a cylindrical boot 6 which is held centrally positionedfrom the launder to the boot and thus to the j v cone. In order to prevent any clogging of the orifices and to cause an'even distribution of the materials to be operated upon,the upper end of the boot is formed into a plummet shaped divider 11, the apex of which lies parallel with the long diameter of the launder.

The lower portion of the cone has secured to it a neck 12 having the funnel-shaped extension 13 in which the lower end of the cone is secured, and is provided intermediate of its ends with guide ways 14 in which is arran ed a slide valve 15 provided with a series of orifices 16 of different diameters,

and by adjusting the slide valve, the escape the flange 2 into the trough and from the spout 5 to suitable receptacles. Means for accomplishing this result embodies a pipe 17 which projects through the boot, and is provided at its lower end with a nozzle 18 having a forty-five degree bend, the end of the pipe adjacent to the nozzle being arranged to rest against the inner wall of the cone. The upper end of the pipe has con nected with it a branch 19 carrying a valve 20 by means of which the supply of solution to the (zone may be regulated or stopped at will. By the angular disposition of the nozzle, a swirling motion will be imparted to the entire contents of the cone, but by reason of superior gravity, the sand will settle to the bottom of the cone below the nozzle, where there is practically a dead zone of solution and whence it may be drawn through the slide valve 15, while the slimes pass upward, flow over the edge of the flange 2, thence into the trough and to the point of discharge.

As it is essential that'the overflow of the slimes should be even around the entire perimeter of the inner wall of the trough formed by the flange 2, a band 21, shown T more clearly in Fig. i is provided, which is of rubber, and fits closely around the outer side of the flange 2, and may be readily adjusted thereon. Thus should the major axis of the cone not be in a vertical line, so that the slimes would tend to escape more rapidly over one edge of the trough than the other, the band may be adjusted as shown in Fig. 4, and thus prevent the objectionable feature.

7 From the foregoing description, it will be seen that although the improvements of this invention are simple in character, that they will be thoroughly efiicient for the purposes designed, and will accomplish the objects had in view in a certain and practical manner. I

hat is claimed is 1. In a hydraulic cone classifier, a feed supply, comprising a vertical cylindrical boot depending within the cone below the overflow level, a feed box inclosing the boot and having a supply chute, said boot projecting above the bottom of the box and having a row of perforations at the level of the box bottom.

'2. In a cone classifier, a feed supply comprising a vertical cylindrical boot depending within the cone below the overflow level, a supply chute and a feed box inclosing the boot, said boot projecting above the bottom of the box and having a row of perforations at the level of the box bottom, and a divider adjacent to the upper projecting end of the boot facing said chute.

3. In a cone classifier, the combination with the cone and its supply pipe, of a vertical cylindrical boot, depending within the cone below the overflow level, a feed box surrounding the upper end of said boot and provided with a chute, said boot projecting above the bottom of the box having a row of perforations at the level of the box bottom, and a pointed divider projecting laterally from the upper end of the bootwithin said chute.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SYLVESTER OLINGMON BUCHANAN Witnesses:

HUBERT C. FIELD, JOHN DECKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cent s each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

